KANTRUM: THE LEGACY OF THE KHMER ETHNIC GROUP LIVING IN THAILAND

Abstract

This article is part of the research on Kantrum 250 Songs, with the objective of collecting Kantrum songs in three provinces, namely Buri Ram, Surin and Si Sa Ket Provinces, using qualitative research methods and choose to use a specific field data storage area is a cultutal area where the Khmer language is mainly spoken, because "Kantrum" is an area-specific intellectual heritage with clear cultural boundaries. Most of whom live in the three aforementioned provinces. The researcher used a population and sample group that had roles and expertise in southern Isan folk music. Then collect and record data according to the research objectives by means of descriptive analysis.

The results of the study found that Kantrum is a folk perfoming art of the Khmer Thai people that is widespread in Khmer-speaking societies. From a collection of more that 250 songs discovered, rhythms can be divided into four categories based on instrumentation, tempo, melody, and mood: 1) slow tempos, 2) medium tempos, and 3) fast tempos. These three groups of rhythms. It is a group of songs that have the same melody and melody. And appears unique only in Surin and Buri Ram provinces and 4) Si Sa Ket Province group this group is special in that they use gongs to direct the rhythm instead of cymbals and cymbals. And still maintains the original identity of ancient Kantrum, which is different from the Kantrum game of Surin and Buri Ram provinces that has develoeped to another level.